Electric jacquard mechanism



July 11, 1939. J. H. BROMLEY. JR 2,165,446

ELECTRIC JAGQUARD MECHANISM Filed May 2l, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l l LIUIHHHHHIIHITHTA July 11, 1939- .1. H. BROMLEY, JR

l ELECTRIC JACQUARD MECHANISM Filed May 21, 195:3`

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mv I m, M

vnmunmullul HIH il IIIH l HHH H HHHHHHCI'H 'IIVIIHHIIIIII llll' July 11, 1939- J.H. BRoMLEY. JR 2,165,446

ELECTRIC JACQUARD MECHANISM Filed May 21, 1938 5 Sheets-Shea?l 4 @E9-*5T rrrrrm u .27

Z4 Ze- July 11, 1939- J. H. BROMLEY, JR 2,165,446

ELECTRIC JACQUARD MECHANISM Filed May 2l, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 11, 1939 2,165,446

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC JACQUARD` MECHANISM Joseph H. Bromley, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. Application May 21, 1938, Serial No. 209,341 11 Claims. (Cl. 96-20) This .invention relates primarily to lace making in such a six division split, would be connected machines of the type wherein one set of threads, by complementary cords to six of the jacks of the commonly referred to as warp threads, is normachine, i.1e. to one corresponding jack in each mally hung in a vertical plane, with said threads of the six divisions respectively.

5,; disposed in laterally spaced relation to each other, The thread-,engaging portions of the jacks are to form the foundation work of a lace fabric; and normally disposed in a horizontal plane lwith the Wherein a second set, of threads, commonly reends of -the jacks adgjacent-to but spaced from the fcrred to as spool threads, is correspondingly planes in which the vfoundation and the `pattern hung in an immediately adjacent vertical plane, threads are respectively -hung and are moved 10, to function as design forming threads for prowithin said horizontal plane from said normal ducing patterns in the lace fabric; and wherein position to one or the other of two posiitons, i. e. mechanism is provided for shifting or shogging into the lplane of the pattern threads or into the one or both sets of threads laterally in their planes vof both the pattern threads and the respective planes; and wherein thread controlling foundation or warp threads, lthe positions of the 16; elements, commonly referred to as'jacks, are projacks with respect to the planes of the pattern 15 jected selectively in a horizontal plane between and foundation threads being governed by the the threads of one or both sets prior to said latcards of the jacquard mechanism through said eral shcggings of said threads to effect predeterneedles and harness cords. Therefore, there is mined groupings of predetermined threads of -normally two harness cords for each jack, one one or both sets; and wherein a third set of controlling .the position of the jack with respect 20 threads, commonly referred to as shuttle or bobto the pattern threads .and the other for conbin threads, are passed, in vertical planes at trolling the position of the jack with respect right angles to the planes of said foundation to both the foundation and pattern threads. and-pattern sets of threads, between and around There would then, in kordinary practice, be two said groups, to bind the threads of each selected jacquard mechanisms, each with a set of needles 25 group together, to effect the formation of the and cards employed for controlling the jacks in pattern in the lace fabric. preparation for each grouping ofthe foundation The grouping jacks are selectively controlled and pattern threads, prior to the binding of the ordinarily by jacquard mechanism installed at threads .of each group together by the respective o a relatively high elevation above the horizontal shuttle threads.

plane in which the jacks are mounted and oper- In some instances, i. e in what is known as "orated; and the jacks are normally connected, byv dinary lace, the jacks then function to control cords, to the needles or jack controlling velements only the spool threads, while in other instances,

of the jacquard mechanism. in what is known as combination lace the jacks A lace machine of the type noted may have, for then function to control both :the spool and the' 35 example, 4,320 or 5,184 of the above noted jacks. warp threads. In the rst instance the two The machine is normally Constructed to produce jacquard mechanism may be differently ada number of identical strips or units of 'lace fabric justed, i. e. one jacquard mechanism may be simultaneously. For that purpose the number operated 4to hold the spool threads just long of jacks would be divided into as many substanenough to make what 'is known in the art as a 40 tially equal parts or divisions as there are strips two-gate tie while the second jacquard mechato be made at one time. The harness, i. :e. the nism may be adjusted to make what is known in cords, between the jacquard needles and the jacks the art as a three-gait or four-gait tie. In

would likewise be hung in accordance with the other words one operates to make light weight 4 number of strips which are to be produced at one fabric while the second operates to' make heavy 45 time on the machine, and the jacquard mechaweight fabric. nism would contain at least as many needles as 'In other ycases a single jacquard mechanism there would be jacks in each division. Thus, in with a double set of needles and a double set a machine having the smaller number of jacks of spaces 0n the cards` may be used, whereinl c above noted, and which is intended to produce one -half .of the card and its associated needles six identical units at one time, there would be may be employed for Vcontrolling one position at least 720 needles and the cards cooperating of lthejacks and the other half of the card and with these needles for controlling the jacks would its associated needles may be employed for conbe laid out in 720 spaces, on each card. ,Each trolling the lsecondjposition ofthe jacks, or alterharness cord coming from .each jacquard needle nate spaces in the card and alternate needles 55 respectively associated therewith may be employed. The point to be remembered is that in machines, for example, capable of producing double action ordinary and combination lace, there are two cords for controlling each jack While in machines, for example, capable of producing only simple patterns in single action ordinary lace, one cord for each jack would suffice; that in the double action ordinary and combination work one cord is connected to a needle for effecting the rst position of the jack while the other cord is connected to a second needle for effecting the second position of the jack; and that it matters not whether the first position needles be assembled for cooperation with the spaces on one card and the needles Afor the second position assembled for association with the spaces on another card or whether one card serves both purposes, as noted.

'Ihe hanging of a harness in this type of machine requires substantially a month and costs approximately $1,000. Fro-m this it will be readily seen that when the harness of a machine is hung for a six division split, for example, the machine is definitely set for making six strips of fabric at one time. Therefore, different machines are hung for, let us say, six strips, while other machines may be hung for either a greater number of strips or a lesser number of strips and once hung the machines are denitely adapted to make only that number of strips or a multiple thereof.

Styles in lace curtains, for example, which are madeon this type of machine vary, sometimes requiring relatively narrow fabric and at other times requiring relatively wide fabric. The width of the fabric determines the number of strips that may be made simultaneously on each machine. Therefore, in order to be in a position to ll orders for a large number of variations of widths, the manufacturer is required to have a number of these expensive machines with the harness hung for each of the requirements, as it would be economically impractical to rehang the harness of each machine in accordance With the change in the widths required by the changes of style.

Obviously, each division will make a fabric strip of a definite maximum width but can be used to make a fabric of relatively lesser width. However, the number of strips made at one time remains constant, in accordance with the tie-up of the particular harness in that machine. In order to meet competition it is necessary to make as large a number of strips simultaneously as could possibly be made on the machine. It, therefore, is economically impractical to make relatively narrow strips other than multiples on machines divided to make relatively wide strips and it is economically impractical, for the reasons given above, to rehang the harness to produce the greater number of strips simultaneously.

Due to the excessive length of harness cords required to connect the jacquard needles with the various jacks of the several divisions of the machine, difiiculty has been experienced as a result of contraction or elongation of the cords due to temperature and humidity variations, etc. To overcome this difficulty and in order to lower the position of the jacquard mechanism I proposed in my prior patent, No. 1,066,789, dated July 8, 1913, to substitute electric circuits for the harness cords. However, the circuits, insofar as divisional splits of the complement of jacks isv concerned, correspond to the complementary.

cords and are, therefore, equally expensive, if not more so, to make the original circuit lay-out connections or to change the lay-out to vary the number of strips to be made on the machine simultaneously.

My present invention is directed to an electric circuit systemA corresponding to that disclosed in said prior patent. The object of the present invention is to provide interchangeable mechansm in the circuit by which changes from one divisional set-up to another divisional set-up may be readily accomplished in an extremely short period of time and at relatively low cost, by which such changes are made economically practical.

The above noted object of the invention is accomplished by connecting each needle of the jacquard mechanism to a terminal of one series mounted on one terminal panel and the jack controlling solenoids respectively to terminals on a second terminal board disposed in a plane parallel to the rst mentioned terminal board; and providing a readily removable and replaceable division unit between the two terminal boards, in which on one face of the unit is provided with a series of contacts corresponding to the terminals on the rst said terminal board and on its opposite face With a series of contacts corresponding to those on the second of said terminal boards, and between the opposite faces of said replaceable unit connecting each of the contacts which correspond to the primary terminal board with each of a plurality of the contacts corresponding to the terminals on the secondary terminal board.

With the above arrangement it is possible to make up any desired number of the above noted interchangeable units, each for a different divisional hook-up, i. e. one unit may be arranged with each primary contact connected to six secondary contacts. Another unit may have each primary contact connected to ve secondary contacts. Another unit may have each primary contact connected to nine secondary contacts and so on in a practically unlimited number of combinations, each combination representing the number of divisions into which the complement of jacks in the machine will be split for making a corresponding number of fabric strips simultaneously. Therefore, When it is desired to change the division of the machine from, for example, a six strip hook-up to a nine strip hook-up it is only necessary to remove the interchangeable divisional unit for the six split division and insert in place thereof the divisional unit for the nine split hook-up.Y This change may be made in a relatively few minutes and will require substantially no idle period of the machine as a whole; and the expense involved is substantially nil, after the divisional unit has once been wired for a definite combination. After initial wiring, the unit may be kept on hand for substitution in the machine whenever that particular divisional split of the machine is desired.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus forming the subject matter of the present invention, with a part of the side frame broken away;

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the terminal boards and the divisional unit separated from each other for removal and replacement of the divisional unit of one split for a divisional unit of a different split;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the mechanisms shown in Figs. 1 andr 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view as taken, for example, on the line 4 4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan View taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 4; l

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken on the lined-6, Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a six split divisional unit as applied to the jack circuit of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view on the line 8 8, Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional construction;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the mechanism in Fig. 9, in iront elevation; and

Fig. ll is a modification of the hook-up shown in Fig. '7.

The construction and operation of the machine to which the present invention is particularly applicable is clearly shown and described in the above noted prior patent, therefore, it is believed that detailed description thereof in the present case is unnecessary.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings of the present case, several of the elements of the machine are disclosed, to illustrate the application of the present invention thereto. In said gure the set of Warp elevation of a detail of threads is illustrated at a; and the set of pattern threads is illustrated at bi. The spring jacks are illustrated at I, the jack rods .at 2, each jack rod being provided with a pair of abutments 3 and 4 respectively for cooperation with the upper portion 5a of the two part jack controlling stop 5, the two parts 5a and 5o of the stop 5 being associated with solenoid coils 6a and 6b respectively oi a single solenoid unit. y l

One side of each of the coils 6a and 6h is connected by a wire 1 to one side of a source of electric energy B, the second side of which is connected by a wire 9 to a plate I0 of the jacquard mechanism in which is slidably mounted a needle I I for controllingV one position of the jack stop 5 and its associated jack I; and a needle I2 for controlling a second position` of the jack stop 5 and jack I, said needles being respectively adapted to effect closing of circuits with contacts I3 and I4respectively.

For the purpose of illustration, the needles II and i2 are shown as being in the same jacquard mechanismrand adapted to be actuated by a single card, however, as noted above, the needles I I and I2 may be in different jacquard mechanisms respectively.

The contact I3 is connected by a wire I5 to a primary terminal I'I which is supported in a primary terminal board A (see Figs. 1 and 2). The needle I2 is adapted to eiect closing of a circuit with a contact I4 which is connected by a wire I6 to a primary terminal I8 also mounted in the primary terminal board A.

The second side of the coil 6a, which provides a full-lift for the upper portion 5a of the two part jack stop 5 into the path of the abutment 3 of the jack rod 2, is connected by a wire I3 to a secondary terminal 2| mounted in a secondary terminal board B (see Figs. 1 and 2). The second side of the coil 6b, which effects a half-lift of the jackstop 5 into the path of the abutment 4 of the jack rod 2, is connected by a wire 20 to a secondary terminal 22 which is carried by the` secondary terminal board B.

Connection between the full-lift andV half-lift primary terminals I1 and I8 of the primary terminal board A are made with the full-lift and half-lift secondary terminals 2| and 22 respectively, minal board B, through a readily removable division unit C. v

As shown in Fig. 7, the primary terminal I1, of the primary terminal board A, makes contact with a primary contact 23 on one side of the division unit C and the secondary terminal 2 I, of the secondary terminal board B, makes contact with a secondary contact 25 on the secondside of the division unit C. The contacts 23 and 25 of the division unit C are connected Within the unit C by a wire 21.

In a like manner the primary terminal I8, carried by the primary terminal A, makes contact with a primary contact 24 on the i'lrst said side of the division unit C. The secondary terminal 22 carried by the secondary terminal board B, makes contact with a secondary contact 26 carried by the second side of the division unit C. The primary and secondary contacts 24 and 28 are connected within the unit C by a wire 28.

As noted above the division unit C may be arranged for any desired divisional split of the jacks of the machine. Therefore, each oi the primary contacts 23 and 24 in the one side of the division unit C has connected to it a plurality of wires 2i and 28 respectively, as illustrated at 27a and 28a in Fig. 7, the number of connections depending upon the divisional split for which that particular unit C is 2l' oi the group 21a is connected to a diiierent secondary contact 25 in the second side of the unit C, for supplying current to the full-lift coil 6a. with which the particular secondary contact 25 is connected.

In a like manner each of the wires 28 of the group 28a, is Vconnected to a separate secondary contact 2li for supplying current to the hali-lift coil 8b with which the secondary terminal 22 is connected.

Thus, assuming that the unit C is hooked up for a six split division, each time the needle II is operated to close the circuit through the switch contact I3, wire I5, primary terminal Il and primary contact 23 that circuit will be split six ways from the primary contact 23 to six individual secondary contacts 25 and thereby complete circuits through six secondary terminals 2 l, wires I9, coils 6a and wires 'I to the source oi energy 8, it being understood that the circuit from the opposite side of the source of energy is completely through the wire 9 and plate IEl to the needle II and switch contact I3.

In a like manner each time the half-lift needle i2 is operated to make contact with the switch contact I4 a circuit is completed from the one side of the source of energy 8 through the wire 9 and plate IIB to the needle I2 and from the needle i2 through the switch contact I4, the wire I6 and the primary terminal I8 to the primary contact 24. From the primary contact 24 the circuit is split six ways through the wires 28a to six individual and separate secondary contacts 26, each of which, through its cooperating secondary terminal 22 and wire 28 closes the circuit to a half-lift coil Gbr, the second side of which is connected by a wire I to the source of energy 8.

It will be understood that in a machine having,` for example, 4,320 jacks, the division for making six fabric pieces at one time would provide 720 jacks in each divisionand the connections through the divisionalunit C; between the contacts 23l and which are carried by the secondary terwired. Each one of the wires 25, and 24 and 26, would be so arranged that when the needles II and l2 operate jack number l in any one unit they would operate the corresponding jack number l, at the same time, in each and all of the six divisions. The same relation would obtain through the whole, of the 720 jacks for each fabric strip.

A corresponding relationship would exist in each of the other divisions, for example, in the ve split division, the corresponding jacks at each division would be simultaneously operated. In a nine split divisional nook-up the corresponding jacks in each of the nine divisions would be operated in a like manner.

The structure for providing the desired division may vary without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the present instance, the primary terminal board A, as shown in Fig. 5, has the full-lift and half-lift terminals I1 and I8 for each jack arranged in immediately adjacent relation to each other; and suitably insulated from each other, as illustrated at 30. The primary contact board AI of the division unit C likewise has the contacts 23 and 24 for each jack arranged in immediately adjacent relation to each other; and insulated from each other, as

indicated at 3l in Fig. 5.

Each of the contacts 23 has secured to it a number of wires 2M corresponding to the division which .is to be made by the particularunit C. The contacts 24 each have a corresponding number of wires 28a attached to its inner end. The inner ends of the contacts 23 and 24 project into the hollow interior 32 of the unit C, between the primary and secondary contact boards AI and BI thereof.

The individual wires 2l of the group 27a extend through the space 32 to the individual secondary contacts 25, carried in the secondary contact board BI of the unit C and the individual wires 28 of the group 28a, connected to each of the contacts 24, correspondingly extend through the space 52 of the unit C to the individual secondary contacts 25 in the terminal board BI of the unit C.

As shown in Fig. 6, the secondary contacts 25 and 25 are arranged in immediate adjacent relation to each other and insulated from each other as indicated at 33. The contacts 2l and 22 in the secondary terminal board B are likewise arranged in immediate adjacent relation to each other and insulated from each other as illustrated at 34 in Fig. 6.

It will be understood, of course, that in the making of some of the divisions all of the primary terminals IT and I2 may not be employed, for example, in a nine division split the 4,320 jacks would be divided into nine equal parts of 480 jacks each. Consequently, instead of '720 primary terminals Ie' and it and their associated needles II and i2 being put into use only 480 would be operative at such a time, the remaining primary terminals and needles being idle. The corresponding spaces on the jacquard cards would likewise remain blank.

The jacks l as noted in the above prior patent are composed of spring steel and are all rigidly connected at their lower ends to a rock bar Si). This bar is oscillated by a cam 6I and tends to move the entire full complement of jacks as a body from the normal position shown in Fig. 7 to a position wherein each and all of the jacks would be projected through the planes of both series of threads a and b. However, and depending upon the pattern to be made, one of the cards 62 of the jacquard mechanism has previousi. MM n ly been moved into contact with the ends of the needles II and I2 and has selectively operated said needles to raise some of the stops into the path of the jack rod abutments 3 and some into the path of the jack rod abutments 4, whereby some of the jacks will remain substantially in their normal position while others will be permitted to move half-way from said normal position into the plane of the threads b while others will be projected through the threads b into the plane of the threads a.

When producing double action regular work, i. e. when the tips of the jacks penetrate only the spool threads and never the warp threads, the cam follower 6Ia is adjusted and the arm 60a so that the cam 6I will project the tips of the jacks only into the spool threads and the contacts 23 and 24 are jointly connected to single contacts 25 so that both jacquard mechanisms would operate only the solenoids 6a, leaving the solenoids 6b inoperative. (See Fig, l1).

The wires connecting the switches I3 and I4 to the terminals on the terminal board A and those connecting the coils Y6 to the terminals on the terminal board B as a matter of convenience are grouped together in the form of cables and may be secured in frames shown in Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 10.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the terminal boards Al Bl of the division unit C are carried by a rigid frame 34, in laterally spaced relation to each other, in parallel relatively spaced planes, to provide the wire space 32 therebetween. The frame 34 is provided with feet 35 adapted to rest on horizontal supporting frame member 36, on which the frame 34 is adapted to slide. The secondary terminal plate B is likewise carried by a rigid frame 3l provided with lugsI or feet 38 which rest on the supporting member 36 and are secured thereto against movement by bolts or screws 39. The primary terminal plate A is rigidly mounted in a rigid frame 40 which is provided with supporting brackets 4I having feet 42 adapted to slide on the supporting member 36.

Connecting the supports 3S, 36, and secured at its opposite ends respectively thereto, is a transverse element 43 (Fig. 3), in which is secured a nut 44 (Fig. 8). Threaded through the nut 44 is a jack screw 45. At the outer end of the jack screw is a hand wheel 45, by which the screw 45 may be rotated with respect to the nut 44. As a result of the pitch of the screw 45 axial movement of said screw is provided. The inner end 41 of the screw 45 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 48 carried by a spider 49, the legs of which are connected by screws or bolts 5B to the marginal edges of the frame 40 in whichthe primary terminal plate A is secured. The jack screw 45 is provided for moving the primary terminal board A and unit C relative to the secondary terminal board B, for properly making and breaking engagement between the various spring contacts, I'l, i3, 23, 24 and 2l, 22, 25, 26.

Due to the relatively large number of contacts on the terminal boards B and BI it is necessary, when removing a division unit C', to provide the jack screw or other equivalent power means for separating the contacts of the terminal board BI from the contacts of the terminal board B. For this purpose the unit C is provided at each side with a lug or other projection 5I arranged to be engaged by a hook 52 of a latch 53, one of which is pivotally connected at 54 to each of the opposite sides of the frame 40.

With the terminal boards A and B spaced apart as shown in Fig.. 2, a unit C may be readily placed between or removed from between the To effect a hook-up, a unit C of' desired' division is placed between the terminal boards A and B, as` illustrated in Fig. 2. The jack screw is then rotated by means of the wheel 46 to advance the frame 46 and the terminal board A carriedlthereby toward the frame 34 of the unit C, until the contacts on the terminal board A engage the contacts on the terminal board AI of `the unit C. Further rotation of the jack 'screw74'5-slides the frame 46 along the supports 36 andv pushes the unit CV along said supports in advance thereof, Yuntil the contacts carried by the terminal board B of the unit C engage the contacts` carried by the stationary terminal board B. Further rotation of the jack screw 45 consolidates the engagement between all of the contacts and' brings. the facesA 55 and 56 of the frame 34-into firm contact with the faces 51 and 58v to the frames 3.1 and 40 respectively, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The unit is then ready for operation.

At such time the hook 52 of the latch 53 is behind the l'ug 5| of the frame 3'4. When it is desired to separate the contacts, to remove the unit C, the jack screw 45- is turned in an oppositel direction from that previously described.

The jack screw yl5 rst pulls the frame 46 and separates the terminals of the board A from the contacts of the board VAI of the unit C. The hooks 52 tl'ien engage and pull the unit C away from the trarne 37|V and withdraw the contacts of the terminal board BI of the unit C from the contacts 'of the stationary terminal board B, which, as noted,'is held in a definitely fixed position. Continued rotationv ofthe jack screw moves the frame 4U and unit C until cam faces 53a on the latches 53 engage trip.. pins 55. on the supports 36. This releases the latches 53vfrom the uni-t C permitting it. to: stand while the frame 453: continues to move tol the position shown in Fig. 2. The unit C mayY then. be removedY and another set in its place on the supports l36, 3,6.

The wires I5 and I6 between the. switches I3, I4 and the terminals ITI and I8 arecornbi'ned in cables 62 and the wires I9 and 20 between the coils 6a, 6b, and `the"..terminals ZI and 22vare l combined in cables 63. `These cables are clamped in definite position by clamps 64 and 65 carried by the frame 66 which is rigidly secured in place onV the supports 36, 36.

While the device has been described, for the' purpose oiV illustration, in connection with a lace making machine it will be obvious that its use yis in no way restricted to such machines; and

the device may be employed with any apparatus employing jacquard mechanism or other equipment where a large number of elements are to be divided into groups, wherein the groups are subject to change as to numbers in each group; and wherein the groups are to be controlled from a single source.

I claim:

1. In a jacquard controlled machine comprising a relatively large number of elements to be t controlled and a relatively smaller number of jacquard actuated controlling elements completely disconnected from all said large number of elements, an interchangeable division unit interposed between said controlled and said control elements comprising means for operatively connecting each of said control -elements to'each of a predetermined number ofsaid controlled elements. Y

2. In a lacey making machine comprising a relatively large number of thread controlling jacks kand a. relatively smaller number of jack controlling elements completely disconnected from all of said jacks,y an interchangeable divisioni unit interposed between said jacks and said control elements comprising means for operatively connecting each of said control elements to each of a predetermined number of said jacks.

3'.. In. a lace making machine comprising a relatively large number of thread` controlling jacks, a relatively smaller number of jack controlling elements for governing movement of said jacks and completely disconnected from all of said jacks, and a division unit interposed between said. jacksand said controlling elements including means for operatively connecting each of said controlling elements to each of a predetermined number of said jacks.

4. In a lace making machine comprising a relatively large numbered series of independently operable thread controlling jacks, a relatively smaller numbered series of jack controlling elements for governing movement of said jacks and completely disconnected from all of said jacks, a second corresponding small numbered series of jack controllingelements for governing movement of said jacks also completely disconnected from all' of said jacks, a division unit interposed between said jacks and said controlling elements including means for operatively connecting each of the controlling elements of said series to each ofk a predetermined number of said jacks.

5. In a lace making machine comprising a relatively large number of thread controlling jacks ber of:r jack controlling elements for governingv the movement of said jacks to one of said posi.- 'ti'ons and. completely disconnected from all of said jacks, a corresponding small number of jack controlling .elements for governing the movement of said jacks to Ithe other of. said two positions also. completely disconnected from all of said jacks, a division unit interposed between said jacks` and.` said controlling elements including means for operatively connecting each of said first and second positionv controlling elements to each of a predetermined number of said jacks.

6. In a lace making machine comprising a relatively large number of thread controlling jacks, means common to'all of said jacks for advancing said jacks as a body to a predetermined extent in one direction from a normal position thereof, an individual stop for each jack, a relatively smaller number of stop controlling elements, and an interchangeable division unit interposed between said stops and said elements and comprising means for operatively connecting each of said elements to each of a predetermined number of said stops.

7. In a lace making machine comprising a relatively large number of thread controlling jacks, means common to all of said jacks for advancing said jacks as a body to a predetermined extent in one direction from a normal position thereof, an individual stop for each jack movable to two positions from a normal position for governing the advance positions respectively of said jack, a relatively smaller number of stop controlling elements for governing one of said positions of said stops, a similar relatively small number of stop controlling elements for lgoverning the second of said positions of said stops, an interchangeable division unit interposed between said stops and said stop controlling elements including means for connecting each of said rst position stop controlling elements With each of a predetermined number of said stops, and means for connecting each of said second position stop controlling elements with the same stop respectively to which said rst position stop controlling elements are connected.

8. In a lace making machine comprising a relatively large number of thread controlling jacks, a relatively smaller number of jack controlling elements, an electric switch operable by each of said jack controlling elements, an electrically operable regulating device for each jack, an individual primary terminal for and electrically connected to each of said switches, a secondary terminal for and electrically connected to each of said regulating devices, a division unit interposed be- Y tween said primary and secondary terminals and comprising a series of contacts detachably engaging said primary terminals respectively, a series lof, contacts detachably engaging said secondary terminals respectively, and means electrically connecting each of said primary contacts with each of a predetermined number of said secondary contacts.

9. In a lace making machine comprising a relatively large number of thread controlling jacks, means for advancing said jacks as a body to a predetermined extent in one -direction from a normal position thereof, an electrically operable stop for each jack movable to either of two positions for governing the extent of advance of each jack, a relatively smaller number of jack stop controlling elements for governing one of said stop positions, a similar small number of stop controlling elements for governing the second of said stop positions, first and second position electric switches operable by said rst and second position stop controlling elements respectively, rst and second position primary terminals electrically connected respectively to said switches, rst and second position secondary terminals electrically connected in pairs to said stops, an interchangeable division unit interposed between said primary and secondary terminals and comprising a series of contacts respectively detachably engaging said rst and second position primary terminals, a series of contacts respectively detachably engaging said first and second position secondary terminals, and means electrically connecting each rst and second position primary contact with each of a predetermined number of said pairs of first and second position secondary contacts.

l0. An electric division unit comprising a primary terminal board supporting a series of primary terminals, a secondary terminal board supporting a series of secondary terminals, a frame intermediate said primary and secondary terminal boards and including a board adjacent said primary terminal board an-d supporting a series of contacts detachably engaging said primary terminals, a second board adjacent said secondary terminal board and supporting a series of contacts detachably engaging said secondary terminals, and means intermediate said contact boards for electrically connecting each of a predetermined number of said primary contacts with each of a group of said secondary contacts.

l1. An electrical apparatus comprising a primary terminal board supporting a series of primary terminals, a secondary terminal board supporting a series of secondary terminals, an interchangeable division unit comprising a frame intermiateV said primary and secondary terminal boards and including a board adjacent said primary terminal board for supporting a series of contacts detachably engaging said primary terminals, a second board adjacent said secondary terminal board for supporting a series of contacts detachably engaging said secondary terminals, means intermediate said contact boards for electrically connecting each of a predetermined number of said primary contacts with each of a group of said secondary contacts, means for supporting said frame and said terminal boards in predetermined relation to each other to maintain said engagement between said terminals and said contacts, and means for forcibly effecting engagement and separation of said terminal boards from said frame and the contact boards and contacts carried thereby and the terminals respectively carried thereby for effecting interchangeability of said unit.

JOSEPH H. BROMLEY, JR. 

